Truck Driver Pay in Missouri (2026)
Official BLS numbers for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers (SOC 53-3032) in Missouri, plus what the I-70 corridor, Springfield's carrier HQs and a top rate of 4.7% mean for real take-home pay.
By the HaulMath editorial team · Updated $1
Key numbers at a glance
| Metric (SOC 53-3032, statewide) | BLS OEWS, May 2025 | Typical market read (hedged) |
|---|---|---|
| Mean hourly wage | $27.32 | Slightly below the $28.71 national mean |
| Mean annual wage | $56,830 | vs. $59,710 nationally — about $2,900 behind |
| Median annual wage | $54,550 | Typical job sits just under the mean |
| 10th percentile (annual) | $37,860 | Entry/trainee territory |
Truck driver pay in Missouri: the numbers
The benchmark is the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, May 2025 release. Missouri employs about 47,760 of them — roughly 16.3 of every 1,000 jobs, well above typical coastal states. Annual figures assume 2,080 hours.
| Metric (SOC 53-3032, statewide) | BLS OEWS, May 2025 | Typical market read (hedged) |
|---|---|---|
| Mean hourly wage | $27.32 | Slightly below the $28.71 national mean |
| Mean annual wage | $56,830 | vs. $59,710 nationally — about $2,900 behind |
| Median annual wage | $54,550 | Typical job sits just under the mean |
| 10th percentile (annual) | $37,860 | Entry/trainee territory |
| 75th percentile (annual) | $63,400 | Experienced OTR and specialized work |
| 90th percentile (annual) | $77,510 | Top decile — long-haul, tanker, team |
| Hedged hiring range, 2026 | — | Roughly $44,000–$61,000 for experienced company drivers; verify with carriers |
Missouri's wage curve looks middle-of-the-road on paper: a mean about $2,900 under national, a median a bit lower, and a 90th percentile at $77,510 that rewards the long-haul end of the market. The real advantage is geometry and cost — Missouri sits close to the national population center, so drivers rack up paid miles efficiently in every direction, and the state's cost of living runs below the national average. BLS does not track CPM; company OTR roles here commonly advertise roughly $0.55–$0.75/mile, with dedicated and regional routes often beating plain van OTR once home time is priced. Confirm specifics with carriers.
How miles and freight shape pay in Missouri
Missouri freight is corridor freight. I-70 links Kansas City and St. Louis — the original interstate trucking corridor — and keeps cross-country van traffic moving east-west; I-44 carries traffic from St. Louis and Springfield toward Tulsa and the Southwest; I-55 drops south to Memphis and New Orleans; and US-63/US-65 stitch the Ozarks. Kansas City is one of the country's great rail intermodal centers, which drags container loads off trains and onto local drayage trucks; St. Louis adds manufacturing, ag processing and the Anheuser-Busch brewery complex; Springfield is a genuine trucking company town, home to one of the nation's largest carriers (Prime Inc. is headquartered there) and a deep recruiting base for refrigerated and flatbed work. Agriculture — corn, soybeans and cattle — rounds out the seasonal mix.
The structure splits three ways: national OTR recruits out of Springfield, Kansas City and St. Louis (CPM plus accessorials, out one to two weeks); regional relays across Missouri and neighboring states (often salary or higher CPM with weekly home time); and metro local work in the two big cities (hourly, home nightly). Because the state is cheap to live in and central to everything, experienced drivers here often net more per hour of life than the raw wage ranking suggests. Owner-operators should price cross-Missouri tolls (the state is mostly toll-free) and run lanes through the load profit calculator; on I-70 eastbounds, confirm the fuel surcharge covers Midwest diesel. Compare other states on the truck driver pay by state hub.
The tax angle in Missouri
Missouri taxes wages on a graduated scale that tops out at 4.7% — the rate in effect for tax year 2025 and, with no further statutory cut, 2026 as well — and a driver earning the $56,830 mean commonly owes roughly $2,300–$2,600 to the state depending on deductions. That is a moderate take. Owner-operators file through the business and should work the standard trucking tax deductions plus per diem. Verify current rates with the Missouri Department of Revenue.
FAQ
How much do truck drivers make in Missouri?
Per BLS OEWS (May 2025), heavy and tractor-trailer drivers in Missouri earn a mean of $27.32/hour or $56,830/year, with a median of $54,550 and a 10th–90th percentile spread of $37,860–$77,510.
Is Missouri a good state for trucking jobs?
Yes — about 16.3 of every 1,000 Missouri jobs are heavy/tractor-trailer driver jobs per BLS, with major carrier hubs in Springfield, Kansas City and St. Louis sitting on I-44, I-70 and I-55.
What freight moves in Missouri?
I-70 cross-country freight between St. Louis and Kansas City, I-44 traffic to Tulsa and the Southwest, rail intermodal in Kansas City, agriculture across the state, and manufacturing and beer out of St. Louis.
Does Missouri tax truck driver pay?
Yes — graduated Missouri rates top out at 4.7% (tax year 2025 onward). Verify current rates with the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Is OTR or local work more common in Missouri?
Missouri does both at scale: national OTR carriers recruit heavily out of Springfield and Kansas City, while St. Louis and Kansas City support large local and regional distribution, manufacturing and intermodal pools.
What per-mile pay can a company driver expect in Missouri?
BLS does not track CPM. Company OTR positions in the Midwest commonly advertise roughly $0.55–$0.75 per mile; confirm current offers with the carrier.